General Conference 2019: Notes from the Front

“Hope Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again”
Mark A. Fowler, Lead Pastor
I have been writing this blog for many days. If you write, perhaps you have had days that turn to a week when you stare at a blank screen hoping the words will clearly emerge already composed in a worthy offering...

“Remember who you are…”
I am now home from General Conference. The road to Madison from St. Louis seemed far longer than when I went the other way. I yearned to be home and surrounded by the people and ministry of First Church (and primarily, of course, Susan)!
In the coming...

Today is the last day of General Conference.
I have delayed going to the session to write and brace myself for what is before us. The events of these days have seen a 55-45% legislative victory for the Traditionalist Plan for the denomination moving forward.
What that actually means is a...

I am sitting in section 122 surrounded by students of the class, members of Sacred Worth and Love Prevails, colleagues and friends from Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and New England. It is a great cloud of witnesses to an inclusive and justice focused church of God’s abundant...

Friday morning, February 22, 2019
“I know you go before me…”
I am grateful for the sunshine today. The weather will not be a distraction from a journey toward the unknown future of The United Methodist Church. Five hours ahead is St. Louis and the global gathering of...